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I hope you will read the article about “slowing down” in the December 2015/January 2016 AARP magazine by Ted Spike. It is worth your while.
There are thousands of articles on the market about retiring successfully; many of them focus on the importance of being busy, rather than on the importance of slowing down. As a result we are busier than ever. Seniors everywhere declare “I don’t know how I ever had time to work.”
The body tries to slow down, but the pace of life continues on at a breakneck speed, and we keep trying to keep up. We spend our lives waiting for weekends, holidays, and special events, when we need to focus on the in-between moments of everyday life.
Why do you think Amish romances are so popular? Is it because readers long for the “good old days” when they didn’t feel so rushed and unfulfilled? Would you be any less of a person if you only scheduled activities every other day or every third or fourth day?
What do you gain from slowing down? Researchers have concluded that slowing down is good for us. People, who juggled to-do lists in their mind, worry about the future or rehash the past get caught up in a vicious cycle and stress ensues.
Tough questions, but let’s take a minute to think about a few of them:
Are you still driving too fast, bolting your food, or checking your cell phone way too often? Do you think you could try taking a different route to the store or drive 10 mph slower? Could you take a moment to breathe or say a silent prayer before tucking into your meals? Could you turn off the television or mute your phone for an hour or two?
It is good to be social and it is good to be busy, but it is also good to smell the roses. These same researchers tell us that that when we slow down we tap into the part of our brain where intellectual thought processes and creativity reside. What could be better that that?

Everyone has a story to tell. History is exciting when seen through the eyes of those who have lived it; why then are so many seniors reluctant to share?
Senior Centers everywhere offer writing classes, taught by wonderfully experienced teachers, in hopes of introducing their members to the world of creativity. Even if you don’t consider yourself to be a writer, you will benefit emotionally and physically from learning how to put thoughts and memories down on paper.
No need to be afraid; there are no rules. Keep a journal (previously known as a diary) or jot down mini-stories and call it a memoir. Pick your quiet time; sit down and write a few words every day. Whether you write for yourself or write to share is up to you.
You will soon learn that pen and paper are your best friends. Write about things that you want to share; the story of you. A single memory can jog thoughts about the person you were and the person you’ve become. Ordinary experiences told in ordinary language create a history, a history that is a part of your family.
It is vitally important to find ways to share your life stories, but in order to do that you need to write them down. If you aren’t sure how to begin, check out tips on how to start a journal or write a memoir. Join one of the classes at your senior center. No pressure, just a fun group of like minded individuals. You needn’t feel that that you aren’t good enough if flowery words don’t flow from your pen; that isn’t the point of a family story. What is at stake is more important that the telling. By relating remembrances of things past you are providing insight into your family values and sharing a little bit about yourself.

“Aging up” (getting older) can be more than a little challenging. Seniors have been telling me for years that “getting old isn’t for sissies,” and like many other old sayings this one is based on a certain amount of truth.
Challenges present in many forms. Functional disabilities related to chronic illness, failing memory, difficulty seeing or hearing, or minor aches and pains hit when you least expect it. Good genes and a healthy lifestyle factor into the equation, but what really matters is how you face these challenges.
That sounds good, but what does it mean? It means that you need to take an interest. Recognize your limitations, stop feeling sorry for yourselves, and “get a grip.” Find out what you need to do to adapt and move on with your life.
Fall prevention is a good example. It is easy to be immobilized by fear after a fall, but keeping it from happening again is about more than making a few home modifications. Down deep it is about admitting that you are afraid and figuring out what to do about it.
Seniors struggle with this because it requires quite an ““attitude adjustment.” It requires admitting that you are vulnerable, and understanding that another fall could spell the end of life as you know it. Think about that. Now, say out loud “I could fall again and I have to accept that things cannot go on the way they have been.”
Put aside pride and come to terms with your “disabilities.” Accept that you are vulnerable and plan accordingly. Educate yourself; learn everything you can about the “disorder” that is threatening to derail your life. Develop a plan and modify your lifestyle. Turn insurmountable challenges into “little annoyances” that you can deal with. Focus on staying as active and joyous as possible.